Filming

I've been silent for a while as I've not had anything to do yet in The Importance of Being Earnest. I'm going to the rehearsal on Thursday though as they've asked me to prompt - not sure how well I will deal with sitting there watching everyone while trying to suppress my own jealousy.... I'm sure I'll be fine really and I definitely still want to be involved. The dates have now been confirmed and a brilliant flyer designed (go to the Chandeliers website to see) so it's all systems go!

I'm told that rehearsals should start soon for both of our entries to the Duncan Rand One Act Play Festival at MLT in August. I don't know what we're doing yet for the adults entry, and I'm far too old to enter the kid's one which will apparently be written by Marie who also driected both of last year's entries and wrote the adults' one, I'll Be Around, which I was in. I expect that I will audition for the adults' entry this year whatever we do - any excuse!

Away from the theatre side of things the group have also been working towards a short murder-mystery film, just for fun. I've only become involved at the very end so am not sure how it all came about to be honest. I gather that they started work on it about a year ago, but one of the ladies involved has since left the group which became a problem when they needed to re-shoot a bit and they couldn't get hold of her! I've taken the role over and we've had to film all the parts for this character again, mostly without any of the other actors being available. This means I've had to cope with a lot of embarrassment while being filmed talking to blank walls! I should also point out that while I'm happy to get up on stage with others I do not like photographs of me and moving film is even worse, so I've refused to watch any of it back yet! Anyway on Sunday I went round to the director/producer/camera woman's house to do the last couple of scenes so fingers crossed the finishing will not take too long and we can finally present our efforts to the group.

For the moment the plan is to have a screening for the group, we'll probably try to raise a bit of money for charity at the same time by having a raffle and stuff, and that'll be it. Personally, despite that I will hate watching myself and will be cringing in a corner, I also think it's a bit of a shame to leave it at that, so I'm trying to persuade the others to let me upload it to YouTube, but whether they will agree or not I'm not sure. If they do let me we should also have a fair number of outtakes which I might upload too... so if you're interested, watch this space!

No part for me :-(

Well as I sort of predicted, others were much better than me at the actual audition night so I haven't got a part in The Importance of Being Earnest. Boo hoo.

I have still agreed to help out backstage, probably as prompt. Obviously this means I won't be as heavily involved in the rehearsal process as I'd hoped to be but I'll still be doing things and will try to do regular updates. Right now, though, I'm going to go and sulk for a while...

Nerves...

Well the auditions for The Importance of Being Earnest were tonight. Unfortunately I've had to work so couldn't be there, but very kindly the director agreed to see me last night instead for a quick audition all on my own - I don't think I've ever been so nervous, even at my last job interview! Now I've just got to wait to hear if I've got a part or not - eek!

The good news is that we had a great turn-out on Monday for the read-through and lots of people looking to have a part, so Marie (our director) has a great choice for who to cast. The bad news is that we have more people interested than there are parts available so some people are going to be disappointed, and especially bad for me is there are at least 5 of us all going for the parts of Cecily and Gwendolen (the only two young ladies in the play) so I'm not letting myself get any hopes up about getting a part. I've said that whatever happens I want to get involved, I will just have to hope I don't get too jealous if I have to stay backstage!

By the way, I now know that the performances will be 13th - 16th May at The Hazlitt theatre in Maidstone, the times haven't been confirmed yet - have a look at the calendar at the bottom of the screen, the performance dates should now be showing under May!

There's no business like show business!

Hi there and welcome to my new blog. As I say in the “about me” section, I’m a member of The Chandeliers Drama Group based in Maidstone, Kent, England. The group was formed in 1960 and now we’re one of the largest amateur dramatics groups in the area with members of all ages who are involved not just in the acting but also all the areas of theatre behind the scenes including directing, props and scenery, costume and make-up , lighting and sound. We also get together periodically for social events and put on occasional one-off charity evenings.

Our last production was the musical “Annie Get Your Gun” at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone. I was involved in the props for that one rather than on stage, singing and dancing is not my forte but I had great fun making stuff like medals and some rather convincing-looking birds (if I say so myself!). Unfortunately I was working for most of the performance dates so wasn’t able help out backstage, but I did take my Mum and partner to see the show on opening night and it was fantastic. In particular I thought the children did really well, and our very own Annie Oakley and Frank Butler were brilliant and both have great singing voices. I was also especially pleased that none on the props I’d provided fell apart on stage, what a relief!

Our next project is going to be “The Importance of Being Earnest” and the auditions are on Thursday. I must admit I’m dying to be in it, but as there aren’t many parts I’ve no idea if I’ll get one. Whatever happens I will surely be involved and will try to put regular updates on here about how we’re getting on, as well as the performance venue and dates when I know what they are.

Until then… “let’s go on with the show!”